Why do most after school clubs and holiday clubs only accept children up to the age of 11??

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

What are you expected to do with a child over this age? Allow them to walk the streets whilst you are at work??

I take it you have a DC who is over 11?

Personally I take any age, oldest so far 13, but I have to say most children over the age of 11 are quite independant (or at least think they are) manage to get themselves home form school etc. I also feel that they dont think it's very hip to have a CM over this age.

I agree its hard finding care for this age group in school hols, where have you looked?

He turned 11 on Friday, he did have a babysitter who should have sat with him (not looked after as he can do this himself) this week whilst I was at work but said on Thursday that she gets too tired to look after him for a whole day and has a friend staying with her this week . I had to take the morning off so I could phone around, he spent the afternoon with my neighbour as I'll be in deep sh*t if I have any more time off.

He is perfectly able to care for himself, I basically pay a babysitter £5 an hour to no absolutely nothing. I was told today by a doctor at work that it's still illegal to leave a child this age at home alone (I have heard different on here though). The best I can do is get my neighbour to take him to work with her for a few hours tomorrow (I mess about with MRI/CT so I can't take him with me) bring him home and her husband will check on him hourly.

It's pointless working!

No its not illegal, bizzareley their is no age specified within the law. However if something did happen parents can be found to be negligent. I don't know why they don't just put an age on it, lets face it they dictate just about everything else.

Their are often sports clubs run during school hols for older kids is their nothing in your area that DS may be into? Have you rang round CM's,

am trying to remember what I did at this age.

no, mind's a blank. Does he have any ideas himself? How about a swap with another parent - are you full time? could you look after someone else's for a day?

What about setting him a few challenges, like a 10 mile bike ride and taking photos along the way?

I've rang a few in the local area, he's either too old or they don't have space. Even the university nursery doesn't take children past 11 years. The local sports centre runs holiday sports clubs for children but only in the 6 weeks holidays and only for a few hours a day. Ds has problems with the ligaments in his feet so sports are really hard for him.

There should be an age limit, I don't think they can prosecute parents for leaving their children for a few hours because there's naff all else they can do. Am I to leave work for a few years because I can't find anyone to collect him from school or have him in the holidays because he's over 11?? ARGH!!

Can he go to a friend's house and you reciprocate next holiday?

I can't imagine putting a 12 year old in a holiday club. There is one in the school we hire for workshops and I felt really sorry for one of our 12 year old students who was there the week we wern't running. She was so a fish out of water with all the little kids.

Any relatives at all?

No relatives, grandad had a stroke last year and is still undergoing rehab, granny has been having chemo for bowel cancer and is about to have an operation, my mum is still recovering from fracturing her femur. I don't have the number for any of his friends, I had expected the babysitter to be sitting with him.

What area are you in?

Stick a post on here maybee a fabtastic CM can help you out.

I'm in Derby.

where do you live?

in derby, just outside the city centre.

Some clubs are just for primary school children. Sports activity clubs are more likely to take older children, look at football clubs, leisure centres & gyms.

www.allestreeschoolsoutclub.com/holidayclub.htm

www.bactivederby.com/summerxplosion/search.php

derby.whatsonbritain.com/Arts-and-Crafts/Pottery-and-Ceramics/7f5831a4-61fc-4ab9-b99f-dc02964d5ad7?S earch_Text=children

For Registered Childminders and other childcare options 0800 2346 346

www.emergencychildcare.co.uk

What do his friends do?

Have you checked with some of the local prep schools, several here do 10-4 multi activity days up to age 13. YMCA might be an alternative or for future reference companies like Camp Beaumont and PGL do residential courses for up to 17's , some starting at £99. In the meantime could he not go round to granny's for a day and take stuff with him to keep occupied. Maybe she'd like the company ?

Thankou Lizs, Granny's just finished chemotherapy and is due to have an operation to remove part of her bowel next week so I wouldn't want to ask her. She lives several miles away aswell and I don't drive. I think the PGL courses only last for 5 days, I'll have a look at them though

Thankyou alya, I'll have a look at those. I think all his friends stay at home, if I'd have known the babysitter was going to drop me in it I'd have asked for their phone numbers and begged!